Bajarallymoto.com has announced multi-time Baja 1x Champion Steve Hengeveld has officially entered the 2015 BAJA RALLY taking place here from September 28 through October 2, 2015. Hengeveld, a 7-time winner of the Baja 1000 and 6-time winner of the Baja 500, will take his second attempt to win the BAJA RALLY after his impressive 3rd overall podium finish and stage 3 win in the 2014 edition of North America’s premiere rally event.
“What brings me back is the rally itself,” Hengeveld describes, “The organization and the event is an experience everyone should try. I’ve raced all forms of motorsports and the rally has really caught my eye. I love the professionalism that Scotty and his team bring to the event. Its a top notch organization.”
Hengeveld, who is well known for his tenure with American Honda and role in the documentary film “Dust to Glory”, made at least 5 attempts to win the Baja 1000 and SCORE championship after leaving HONDA before finally winning the overall championship on THR KAWASAKI last year. Now “Henge” aspires to race more rallies in the future and, ultimately, to finish the world’s longest most prolific motorsports event.
“I do have plans to race the Dakar Rally,” Hengeveld continued, “I know that it would be one of the greatest accomplishments of my life. My plans for the 2015-2016 racing seasons are to participate in as many rallies as possible. Right now, Im really looking forward to what the BAJA RALLY has in store for us. I’m excited.”
“I’m super excited to have one of Baja’s best coming back to the BAJA RALLY,” said Director of Competition Andy Grider, “It shows that our BAJA RALLY is one of the top events in Mexico.”
Grider, who himself has a legendary pedigree in the racing world and was the overall winner of the Inaugural BAJA RALLY, stepped down as a competitor of the rally to take the helm of the event after 2 consecutive stage wins in the 2014 edition.
“Steve knows his way around the Baja CA peninsula as well as anyone riding today,” Grider added, “With his knowledge of the changing terrain and comfort levels, we can expect him to be among the top finishers on each stage.”
BAJA RALLY’s Executive Vice President and former SCORE Champion Fred Sobke concurs.
“Henge and Monkey Business Racing are a big boost for our event,” explains Sobke, “He definitely kept the field on their toes last year and surely will be a threat to the podium once again.”
BAJA RALLY is the premiere off road rally event in North America along with its partner event, the Coast to Coast Rally which starts in the Caribbean port of Vera Cruz City and ends in Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca. Together, BAJA RALLY and Coast to Coast comprise the Mexican National Cross Country Championship, the only such series in North America.
